Trial date set for photographer accused of being ‘Mudwata’

The trial against photographer Keron Bruce who is charged with a cyberbullying offence, is expected to commence on June 9, 2022.

On April 8, Bruce, 35, of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, made his first appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond/Grove Magistrates’ Court on the East Bank of Demerara.

Bruce had pleaded not guilty to using a computer system on January 25, 2021, to disseminate information about Leroy Smith knowing same to be false to cause public ridicule, contempt, hatred or embarrassment.

He was released on $100,000 bail and the matter was transferred to Magistrate Judy Latchman.

On Friday, Bruce made his second court appearance and collected his statements.  Magistrate Latchman then set June 9 for commencement of the trial.  Bruce was represented by attorney-at-law Bernard DaSilva.

In January, Bruce was arrested by police in connection with a cyberbullying allegation made by Smith.

Smith had offered a $1 million reward for the identity of a cartoon character popularly known as ‘Mudwata’ who allegedly made sexual remarks about him on the popular social media site Tik Tok.

According to police headquarters, Bruce was arrested and several pieces of electronic equipment were seized from his house, including some voice messages and when an analysis/comparison was done, there was a match with the “Mutawata commentary (same language).”